Commercial Pilot

Explore This Path

Fly diverse routes and experience the thrill of piloting various aircraft types.
Ensure safe and efficient transport of passengers, mail, and freight.
Navigate challenging conditions using advanced instrumentation and skills.

💰 Earn $75K-$180K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 5.7% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots. Excludes regional, national, and international airline pilots.

Use instrumentation to pilot aircraft when visibility is poor.
Start engines, operate controls, and pilot airplanes to transport passengers, mail, or freight according to flight plans, regulations, and procedures.
Monitor engine operation, fuel consumption, and functioning of aircraft systems during flights.
Check aircraft prior to flights to ensure that the engines, controls, instruments, and other systems are functioning properly.
Consider airport altitudes, outside temperatures, plane weights, and wind speeds and directions to calculate the speed needed to become airborne.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

6,900 Annually

Median Earnings

$107,370 in California

$113,080 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Commercial Pilot? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@wingsairlineacademy

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Influencing or leading others
Thinking and problem solving
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Critical Thinking
Equipment Maintenance
Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Repairing
Troubleshooting

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Receiving recognition

Deep Dive

Commercial Pilot

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years